Taxpayer Groups Angry Over CA Legislative Staff Pay Raises

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Amy Quinton, California Capitol Network

Taxpayer groups are angry over California lawmakers’ decision to give raises to legislative employees. Both the state Senate and the Assembly have awarded merit increases of up to five percent to hundreds of their employees.

The raises come at the same time other state workers have had their pay cut with monthly furlough days.

John Coupal is with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. He said the legislative staff pay raises will serve as ammunition in the campaign against Governor Jerry Brown’s tax initiative this fall.

“The fact that any raises have been given in the last two years during a period of time when California is suffering eleven percent unemployment just tremendously demonstrates the disconnect between our political elite and ordinary Californians,” said Coupal.

Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg announced a one year pay freeze for Senate staff, but Coupal commented that’s like closing the vault door after the bank has already been robbed.

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